Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen and Elizabeth discuss why we should always RSVP, and how to stop a simple gathering from, over time, becoming too much work. Episode Highlights: Try This at Home: Always RSVP — Why responding promptly (even with a "no") makes us a better guest [05:49] Happiness Hack: Try a bag organizer insert — A simple way to keep a carry-on, tote, or structureless bag tidy and travel-ready. [14:22] Hap...

A haunting story from ancient Rome remains relevant to our lives today. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Fin...

We discuss the biggest obstacles to moving more this summer with Sarah Fain from the “Happier in Hollywood” podcast, and share practical strategies for getting regular exercise. This special episode is part of the Move 26 in ‘26 challenge to help all of us find more ways to move every day. Try This at Home: Identify your biggest obstacle to movement — Figure out what's getting in the way of moving...

Practical ways to build more play into your summer and the surprising research on how physical touch improves athletic performance. Design Your Summer check-in: How Gretchen and Liz are spending their summers: reading lists, doodling-sketching, and no worry! [08:25] Spotlight on a Tool:Daily Recess: Adults need unstructured play too. How to figure out what kind of recess actually works for you [18...

Becoming a fan—of sports or anything—can improve your happiness. We share listener tips for dealing with people who share every boring detail of their latest trip. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Become a fan— Research shows that fandom reduces loneliness and gives your life more structure, connection, and ritual [04:37] Happiness Hack: Cross off the common denominator—When you're anxious ab...

A star player for the NBA illustrates an important Secret of Adulthood: We don’t have to be good at something to be good at something. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or...

We revisit some of our favorite hacks and tips for designing a happier summer, including why you might choose a summer song, how to think about comfort versus adventure, and practical hacks for making summer more memorable, manageable, and fun. Resources & links related to this episode: Start Designing Your Summer on the Tools page of the Happier app, or ⁠download the app here⁠ Get in touch: ⁠podc...

Stop renting space for stuff you've forgotten. Plus a simple framework for starting a new tradition. Try This at Home: Make a new tradition — Why creating a deliberate, recurring ritual can strengthen relationships and make scheduling easier. [03:24] Happiness Hack: Treat yourself like your own daughter — The latest in the “treat yourself like a___” series. [11:41] Happiness Stumbling Block: Your...

A letter from Churchill demonstrates the value of courtesy, even—or perhaps especially—at moments of highest battle. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotif...

Why summer is the perfect time to revisit your goals for the year. Gretchen and Elizabeth share a hack for making socializing easier. Build Your Social Muscles: The more you socialize, the less mental energy it costs  [00:39] Spotlight on a Tool: July 2nd is the halfway point of the year, so it’s a great time to revisit the goals and lists you made in January  [18:24] I've Been Meaning to Ask You:...

We’re halfway through the year. Gretchen and Liz share how to treat July 2 as a built-in reset to reflect on what's working and what isn't. Try This at Home: Prepare for Halfway Day — Use “Halfway Day” on July 2 to review your aims for the year [05:48] Happiness Hack: Name Your Days of the Week — To make work easier, give a name to each day of the week  [21:34] Listener Question: When Abstainers T...

It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s true: imagination is often sparked more by constraint than by freedom.  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more...

We revisit a special audio episode from the “Habits for Happiness” course about adapting your habits for summer. With Halfway Day approaching on 7/2, it's a useful reminder that a small adjustment can help you get more out of the season and the second half of the year. Resources & links related to this episode: Check out the new Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app Get in touch: podcast@gret...

We discuss how perfectionism is driven not by high standards but by anxiety—and how embracing imperfection is a great way to overcome it. We also share an important reminder about hearing health and why it matters so much for our happiness and wellbeing. Resources & links related to this episode: Cass Aarssen—Clutterbug Life in Five Senses (Amazon, Bookshop)  Check out the Don't Break the Chain Ha...

Studies from commuter patterns after the 2014 London Underground Strike illustrate an important point: even when we resist change, it holds the possibility of making our lives better. Get in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@gretchenrubin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gretchen's website⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transc...

We explore familiar objects that have achieved perfection—from blue jeans to the perfume bottle—and which ones resonate with us most. We also explore whether people are socializing more since Covid, or if it's just to Elizabeth. Resources & Links Related to this episode: Check out my free newsletter, “5 Things Making Me Happy” Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin (Amazon, Bookshop) Everybody's A...

We're excited to join Libro.fm's Audiobook Walk on June 13, a celebration of getting outside, moving your body, and listening to great books. Learn more: blog.libro.fm/audiobookmonth. To celebrate, we're sharing the first 26 minutes of Louise Erdrich's "The Mighty Red," a darkly funny novel about love and survival on the American prairie. If you enjoy it, get the full audiobook from Libro.fm—a per...

We tackle a big happiness stumbling block: worry. We share 20 practical strategies for managing worry—from scheduling time to worry, to recognizing when a worry isn't “ripe,” to making a list, and more. Resources & links related to this episode: Kevin Henkes’s Wemberly Worried (Amazon, Bookshop)  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-s...

A crisis involving the design of the 59-story Citicorp Center illustrates lessons in creativity and the value of constant reevaluation. Get in touch: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@gretchenrubin.com⁠⁠⁠ Visit⁠⁠⁠ Gretchen's website⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in...

We revisit dozens of excellent hacks from listeners about how to make traveling more convenient and less stressful—plus we include some of our own travel-hack discoveries. Resources & links related to this episode: You can start Designing Your Summer on the Tools page of the Happier app, or download the app here Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about G...

We discuss why reflecting on a milestone moment—even a difficult one—can be a meaningful happiness practice. We also add a new suggestion to our "treat yourself like" series, and explore a know-yourself-better question about the patterns we fall into before a big trip or challenge. Resources & links related to this episode: Not sure what to purchase this Father’s Day? Take the Gift-Giving Quiz Eli...

My daughter’s tattoo taught me an important lesson in parenthood: nothing can become between me and my daughters and cast a shadow. Get in touch: ⁠⁠podcast@gretchenrubin.com⁠⁠ Visit⁠⁠ Gretchen's website⁠⁠ to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the App...

We explore a surprisingly divisive question: would you eat dinner for breakfast? We also discuss how people learn the unwritten rules of everyday life. Plus, the pleasure of being able to watch, listen, and read as many times as you like.  Resources & links related to this episode: Life in Five Senses (Amazon, Bookshop)  Quiz: What's Your Most Neglected Sense? "Design Your Summer"—download the Hap...

We discuss how to make the most of your weekday evenings by setting small, intentional plans. We also talk about an everyday activity that feels so familiar that it (wrongly) feels safe.  Resources & links related to this episode: Laura Vanderkam, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance (Amazon, Bookshop)  Before Breakfast and Best of Both Worlds podcasts hosted by Laura Vanderkam  Check out my...

We should give ourselves healthy treats because when we give more to ourselves, we can ask more from ourselves. Get in touch: ⁠podcast@gretchenrubin.com⁠ Visit⁠ Gretchen's website⁠ to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn...